This Spenser novel is better than some I've read. There is a coherent plot, an actual mystery, and the tough guy vs. tough guy dialogue and activity actually makes sense as Spenser goes up against a number of mobsters as the story progresses. As usual, the novel is marred by the author's obsession of using descriptions of food, meals, etc. as filler material in a lame attempt to set the scene.This made sense is one scene where Spenser takes his client to a nice restaurant and how they both seemed out of place, though Spenser was ordering a fancy dish and describes what the dish is. However, it just gets annoying to me in the other places where he spends time discussing things like a bakery basket in a coffee shop, the sandwich Hawk is eating, the donuts his girlfriend brings to his office, This is supposed to be a detective novel, but if this one was adapted to film including all the food references-- it really could be televised on the food channel-- yes there are that many references.. I know because I circled those references as I came across them so I could reference them here.... Here-- I'll show you:Chapter Three: The bakery basketChapter Eight: The lunch scene with the client, the only food reference/ scene that truly furthers the plotChapter Eleven: Eating Chinese takeout-- girlfriend feeds Peking ravioli to the dog while Spenser eats chicken with cashews-- doesn't really serve to provide any real flavor (pun intended) to the settingChapter Twenty-two: Eating with another character Spenser orders a Roman salad while questioning her-- (She eats a cheeseburger)-- in the middle of the conversation, the author takes the time to have the waiter bring the food so he can tell the reader what a Roman salad was.. I didn't care and was annoyed by the break in the conversation.Chapter Thirty: Girlfriend brings donuts back to the office-- a conversation about how to properly eat the donuts takes place.. might provide insight into the relationship between the characters... slowed the story for me.Chapter thirty-six: Takes a prospective informant to lunch, and for once doesn't elaborate on the food. Thank you, Mr. Parker, for the break from the food network.Chapter Forty: Hawk brings a lobster, basil mayo, on Sourdough breakfast to the officeChapter Forty-three: Dinner with the girlfriend provides the setting for a discussion about how the detectives should proceed. Steaks vs. seafood platter is discussed.Chapter Forty-six: Airline food is criticized and discussed. Possibly the only other place in the book where a discussion of the food makes sense.. When you fly in first class you might describe the food to those you are telling the story to.. Still, served to slow the book down for me.Chapter Fifty-Two: Cooking beans and cornbread is discussed The author seems to feel that about the only two places people actually exchange information have to be over food or alcohol. While there is some semblance to reality in this, the author doesn't need to describe every meal his characters encounter. It is almost as if the author learned that if he ordered a lobster sandwich, and then wrote about it in his book, he could use that expense as a deduction as a business expense. Either that, or the author, a large man based on the dust cover of the hardbound copy, really, really enjoys his food and expects the reader to be delighted with his description of various foods, etc. Now, with all that complaining aside, the author managed to provide an intriguing mystery, even if Spenser's actions at times are a little overly full of bravado, etc. Spenser keeps trying to be the knight in shining armor-- well-- with all that eating-- his armor is starting to get a few nasty crimps in it.
Love reading Parker's Spenser novels, especially when his compadre Hawk is also involved with the "nitty gritty." This was my 3rd reading of this novel, according to my notes. Read 1st time back in May 2001, then again in January 2005.One can descern differences in his writing these tales over the years, since he did pen many, many Spenser tales. There have been times when I haven't always liked the complete plot lines of one of these novels, but have always loved the Spencer & Hawk style(s) when they were together on a case, whether working for a paying client or on their own trying to right a wrong. Even Susan plays a valuable role in this story that goes back and forth between Boston and Las Vegas. (haven't always cared for her character in these novels, but she is indeed an integral part of Spenser's life for many years.)And, as usual, with Parker's novels, this one was a relatively quick read over a few days, less than a week. My father used to love reading these Spenser stories, and I believe that was one of the reasons that he liked reading the hard backs .... a quick read, large enough print to easily see, and plenty of space in the margins and between lines/paragraphs. Since he was getting older back in the early to mid 2000's, these hard back setups made reading for him a pleasure; as well as, Parker's comedy writing of Spenser's humorous banter with everybody in his life, from close buddies to the bad guys.
What do You think about Chance (1997)?
My husband has become a Robert B. Parker fan. Having read most if not all of the Jesse Stone books, he now led me to read Spenser books. We were great fans of Robert Urich in the old Spenser for Hire TV show so here I am. Parker was a great writer, does a lot of dialogue for his stories with simple scene settings. They make a fast read and they are always entertaining. In this book, a Boston mobster comes in with his daughter and hires Spenser to find his son-in-law, who has just disappeared in the last few days. The daughter is kind of immature, the father is the typical TV mob leader. The adventures travel to Vegas and back. A fun read
—Dee
Started off a little hokey/formulaic etc. but dog gone it, between Spenser's sarcastic humor and the combination of his insatiable need to figure things out and his old fashioned sense of chivalry and compassion- you just get drawn in and forgive whatever sexism & soft-racism Parker may have. Besides the relationships between Spenser and Susan, Hawk, and Pearl the wonder dog are all pretty endearing too. No wonder Spenser is a classic literary character (of course having been a fan of the 80's TV series doesn't hurt- it's fun to imagine Robert Urich and Avery Brookes' voices in your head).
—Ted Mallory
The book was good but after a while of everything going on in the story, I needed a flowchart to keep it all straight. I got lost at least once with who was after whom and what their stake in it was. I think this book suffered a bit from too much going on for me to keep up with.The "prologue" of this book made absolutely no sense whatsoever. The book would have been fine without it. Or, at the very least, some explanation as to who it's about and why it's there. Otherwise, it wasn't needed and just left me puzzled as I waited for it to connect to the story and make sense. Never did.Much as I like some of her interactions with Spenser, I find Susan majorly annoying. She's basically a sounding board for Spenser and comedy relief at times, but not always successful at the funny part. I love how people want Spenser to find someone, but don't want him investigating anything to do so for whatever reason. And Spenser always having such a nice comeback that shows these twerps just how stupid they are. I love that about him.And, we have Hawk back at last. I've missed him. He's always a fun addition to the books. I love his interactions with Spenser. They forever leave me laughing once those two start picking on each other.
—Holli
